Beam is Craven’s crew chief

CONCORD, N.C. – Newburgh driver Ricky Craven will have a familiar voice calling the shots as his crew chief for Roush Racing’s No. 99 Superchips Ford F-150 entry in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series next season: his close friend Mike Beam.

Roush Racing announced the partnership on Tuesday. In addition, John Monsam will be the crew chief for the No. 50 truck which will be driven by Todd Kluever.

Beam was Craven’s crew chief at various times during his 31/2-year affiliation with the PPI Motorsports team driving the No. 32 Tide ride. They teamed up for the first of Craven’s two Nextel Cup wins, the 2001 triumph at Martinsville, and they also collected three poles together.

“Ricky and I go back a long way and I think the fact we already know how to communicate with each other will be a tremendous asset,” Beam said. “I am very pleased to join the Roush organization and I believe I can help Ricky and the Superchips team win Roush’s second truck championship.”

Greg Biffle won the 2002 Craftsman Truck championship for Roush and now drives the No. 16 National Guard/Subway Ford in the Nextel Cup series for Roush.

Carl Edwards drove the No. 99 Superchips truck to three victories, nine top-fives and a fourth-place finish in the points this past season. He will drive the No. 99 Nextel Cup Ford for Roush next season.